Trophy and Yorks return is Miller's aim

By Graham Hardcastle

David Miller has admitted that he is keen to return to Yorkshire colours in the coming seasons after the South African’s successful spell in Twenty20 cricket this summer.

Miller links up with his county colleagues ahead of their final training session in Bristol tomorrow in the lead-up to Saturday’s maiden appearance at Friends Life t20 Finals Day in Cardiff, where Yorkshire will meet Sussex Sharks in a 11am semi-final.

The powerful left-handed batsman, Yorkshire’s leading t20 run-scorer this summer with 271 from nine innings at an average of 38.71, is currently on duty with the South African A side in Ireland.

This summer has marked Miller’s second spell in county cricket, following his stint at Durham last year. But this campaign has brought him far more success, even scoring an unbeaten 74 against his former team at the Riverside. And while discussions are yet to start over a new deal for the 23 year-old, he expects them to and would jump at the chance to return.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here, I’ve loved every minute,” said the player who plys his trade in South Africa with the Dolphins franchise and with the Kings XI Punjab team in the Indian Premier League.

“When I got offered the chance to come and play for Yorkshire, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to help move forward with my cricket. I believe I have done that with the help of my team-mates and the coaches here. The club have been brilliant in every area, both on the field and off it. It’s meant a lot to me.

“The first week was all about getting to know the guys, but I seemed to break through the barrier after just a couple of days. I’ve enjoyed it ever since, it’s been a great journey so far. It would be great to finish this season with a trophy.

“Hopefully I can then come back next year and do a bit more for them. I have’t heard anything yet, but I’m sure something will be finalised at a later stage.”

Miller could still line up alongside England all-rounder Tim Bresnan in Cardiff on Saturday despite the latter being noted down as unavailable in an initial ECB player availability list posted on the board’s website yesterday afternoon.

Yorkshire were under the impression that the 27 year-old’s availability or otherwise would be confirmed tomorrow night after the first one-day international against South Africa at the Swalec Stadium, but were surprised when a flat “unavailable” was posted next to his name.

When asked about Bresnan not being made available after Yorkshire’s CB40 defeat to Kent at Canterbury last night, director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon was in the dark. He said: “Isn’t he? That’s not what I’ve been told. We'll have to check that out.”

Well, Yorkshire have had it checked out, and it is as they thought. Bresnan’s availability will be reassessed tomorrow night. If there are no new injury concerns in the England camp, he will be released to play alongside Miller and England team-mate Jonny Bairstow.


Date: 23/08/2012 15:44:04 by Graham Hardcastle
In: Yorkshire | Today |